DAHL AND BLAKE. AN ICONIC COLLABORATION

A meeting of two of the world’s great creative minds. An insight into Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake’s iconic collaboration “I could never guess what he was going to think of next.” Quentin Blake ‘Sir Quentin Blake's relationship with Roald Dahl began with a handshake in a publisher’s office, when half a dozen of Dahl’s books had already been published in the UK and illustrated by other people. For the first two books Blake worked on, The Enormous Crocodile and The Twits, the interaction between author and illustrator was slight. One exchange of messages led to several versions of Mr Twit’s beard, as Dahl reminded Blake that it “grew in spikes that stuck out straight like the bristles of a nailbrush”. It was with the drawings for The BFG that a friendship began... “It is Quent’s pictures rather than my own descriptions that have brought to life such characters as the BFG, Miss Trunchbull, Mr Twit and the Grand High Witch.” Roald Dahl 'I drew Miss Trunchbull as Roald had written her. She looked like a fascist general' recalled Quentin, who had followed Roald Dahl's text to create a moustachioed, short-haired harridan in a collar and tie and boots. Author and illustrator removed some of her more exaggerated features to make a character that looked more like 'a child's real headmistress'. Famously, the alteration of clothing happened too with the BFG, who’s long apron and boots proved to be an encumbrance in many more exuberant drawings, so were removed from the text to be replaced by a waistcoat and sandals.’ "It was surprising to me when he wasn’t there any longer, because he seemed kind of battered, but as though he would go on and on, so it was something of a shock when he wasn’t there anymore. But at the same time I think he’s still there. I mean he’s very present for everybody, really I think."